Connectivity Amidst Complexity: The Urgency and Opportunity for International Collaboration

Written by Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce 

As the world faces unprecedented challenges — including climate change, geopolitical tensions, and trade fragmentation — the urgency for international collaboration has never been greater. In this context, businesses and chambers of commerce emerge as pivotal players, driving cross-border partnerships and creating sustainable solutions.

Twenty-first-century complexities demand collaboration across all sectors of society. With governments under growing stress, the business community is uniquely equipped to lead this endeavour. How? With their extensive networks and universal credibility, chambers of commerce must use their convening power to unite diverse stakeholders in constructive dialogue and collective action.

Ontario, Canada is an $850 billion economy – a global hub for advanced manufacturing, life sciences and technology, with strengths in diverse sectors such as agri-processing, forestry, mining and tourism. That is why the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) champions partnerships both nationally and internationally. Through principled policy work, value-added business services, and broad engagement of our 60,000 members, the OCC drives competitiveness and inclusive, sustainable economic growth.

This vision drives the OCC’s aspiration to host the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) World Chambers Congress (WCC) in Toronto in 2027.

The OCC envisions WCC 2027 as more than just a single event. We see an opportunity for a legacy through programming on how to create a more inclusive business marketplace to those who have not historically shared in economic prosperity.

At the heart of this goal is the topic of economic reconciliation with Indigenous people, businesses and communities – a challenge not just in Canada, but all over the world. The OCC has been collaborating with the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business to advance this agenda in Canada and looks forward to sharing these learnings on the global stage. We also anticipate deep dialogue on healthcare, artificial intelligence, energy, human capital, geopolitical challenges, and much more.

For decades, the OCC has been staging large, multi-day economic summits where private and public sector leaders develop solutions to pressing business issues. Our initiatives align well with the ICC’s pillars. Through events like the World Chambers Congress, businesses and chambers of commerce can catalyze international collaboration, share best practices, and find inspiration in collective action.

Toronto, a vibrant urban area of six million people, is one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities. With its strategic location, access to over 194 million consumers within a day’s drive, and gateway status to a $30 trillion market through the CUSMA free trade agreement, Toronto is a nexus for international business and collaboration.

What truly sets Toronto apart is an environment where diversity and innovation converge. Boasting a highly skilled talent pool from world-renowned universities and a welcoming approach to immigration, Toronto cultivates a culture of inclusion — a blueprint for the future. In Toronto, where there are challenges, we see opportunities.

The global business landscape is changing, and the chamber movement must evolve to enhance its relevance and impact. WCC 2027 is a chance to forge a path toward inclusive economic growth while addressing challenges that transcend borders.

So, when you think about the WCC 2027, we invite you to think Toronto. Together, we can shape a more inclusive, prosperous future.